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Self Drive Uganda Gorilla Habituation Safari Experience
Self Drive Uganda Gorilla Habituation Safari gives you encounters with the Gorillas of Bwindi Rushaga at US $1500 per person. Watch the Gorillas for 4 hours on your self drive Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience safari in groups of 4 with knowledgeable researchers and guides.
Gorilla Trek Uganda with Self Drive Africa.
Gorilla habituation in Uganda offers a unique opportunity to spend time observing mountain gorillas in their natural environment. This experience allows visitors to get close to these incredible animals and learn more about their behaviors and daily lives.
WHERE HABITUATION IS DONE
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is in the southwest of Uganda near the northern border of Rwanda this park is larger and more popular of the two habitats, and it’s also the home of the Gorilla Habituation Experience.
The park is divided into four sectors for gorilla trekking, spread across 331 square kilometers of dense forest. The sectors are Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga, with each sector housing multiple gorilla families despite Buhoma being the most popular sector as the treks are less strenuous and the gorilla families are easier to find here but the Gorilla Habituation Experience only takes place in the Rushaga sector, located in the south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and visitors can trek through the thickets, following expert guides and scouts to find the gorilla families.
Gorilla Trekking Destinations
- Volcanoes National Park
- Bwindi Forest national Park
- Virunga National Park
- Kahuzi Biega National Park
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING HABITUATION
The first part of the experience involves a trek into the forest with guides and scouts, which can take up to 6 hours or more, depending on the location of the gorillas?
The most obvious sign you’re getting close to a gorilla family is finding their nest from the previous night. Once the gorillas are located, you will have up to 4 hours to observe them closely.
This is a rare opportunity to witness how gorillas interact in their family groups. It’s important to note that spending 4 hours with the gorillas can feel long, especially for those with short attention spans, so it’s important to be prepared for the full day of trekking and observation. As you watch the gorillas interact, you’ll notice many similarities to humans, which can be both striking and humbling.
THE AGE LIMIT FOR GORILLA HABITUATION IN UGANDA.
The minimum age for participating in the gorilla habituation experience is 15 years old.
This age limit ensures that visitors are physically capable of trekking through the forest and are able to respect the safety and rules around interacting with the gorillas.
COST OF HABITUATION PERMITS IN UGANDA
To take part in the gorilla habituation experience, visitors need to purchase a permit at 1500USD due to the extended time spent with the gorillas.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best times to visit Bwindi are during the two dry seasons: from June to August and December to February, during these months, the weather is typically pleasant with temperatures ranging between 20-25°C.
However, showers can happen at any time of year, so visitors should always be prepared for rain. The wet season (March to May) sees the heaviest rainfall, which can make trekking more challenging but also offers clearer air for photography, with mist and rain creating a moody atmosphere around the park.
WHAT TO PACK
As you go for gorilla habituation in Bwindi Rushaga sector, you must prepare for the damp weather in the national parks. This packing list is effective for not only travelers to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park but also other gorilla parks in east Africa. Here’s a list of essentials for your gorilla habituation experience?
- Have some insect repellants because there are mosquitoes, wasps and other insects in the jungles. You’ll need to carry it on the gorilla trek so that you keep smearing on your skin or hands to keep insects away.
- Have a first aid kit. You never know what might happen to you while trekking to see gorillas. A small cut, bruise or injury in the middle of the forest can easily be infected, so it’s advisable to have bandages, cotton or wax which can be wrapped around any cut or injury.
- Pack a sun screen in case you’re not comfortable with too much sunlight during the dry season. Likewise, a hut will also protect you from direct sun rays.
- You need a camera to photography gorillas, so take extra batteries, lenses and their water proof cover.
- Warm jackets or sweaters can be put on during cold morning.
- Pack enough drinking water, energy drinks and food. Once you’ve set off from the gorilla trekking centers, you have no place to get eats and drinks. Usually your lodge prepares lunch boxes. Gorillas also move frequently in the forest and it can take 30 minutes or more than 8 hours to locate them. We recommend tourists to speak to their guides at the start of the gorilla trek about their trekking capacity and fitness levels. .
Chimpanzee Destinations
- Volcanoes National Park
- Bwindi Forest National Park
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Virunga National Park
- Kahuzi Biega National Park
- Once you do that, you’ll be allocated to gorilla families that easy to reach and avoid disappointment.
- Hiking boots are very essential over steep mountainous terrain between 2400 to 4500 meters above sea level in Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla Park. In Bwindi mountains have thick vegetation. Boots should cover up your ankle borne; add on long wool stockings and guitars for protection since you go through deep muddy trenches, river and sharp thorny bushes can be harmful without protection.
- Pack garden gloves to protect your hands. Caterpillars or insects can harm your hands when hiking in the forest. Grab a walking stick, muddy trails will inevitably make you hold against tree branches or grass for support.
- Breathable rain jackets or poncho are very important to have on a gorilla trek to prevent you from getting wet and also protect your camera equipment. Rain is highly unpredictable in the gorilla parks whether it’s a dry season or not.
- Wear long pants that dry quickly to protect your legs from thick plants, nettles, and thorns. Tuck the pants into your boots to stop ants and leeches from getting inside.
- Pack long-sleeved shirts or sweaters in nature-friendly colors. When searching for gorillas, you’ll go through thick plants, bugs, and thorny branches that can scratch your arms. T-shirts are good too because it can get hot while hiking. Bring an extra fleece for warmth, as it can be cold when you reach the gorillas, and you might encounter spider webs along the way.
WHERE TO STAY DURING HABITUATION,
There are several accommodation options near Bwindi, ranging from luxurious to more affordable choices. Some top-rated lodges include, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge and Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, which offer high-end amenities and stunning views of the mountains, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, another popular luxury option, for more budget-friendly options, consider staying at Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs Safari Lodge, which still provide great service and beautiful surroundings.
ACCESSIBILITY
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is accessible by both road and air. You can fly from Entebbe International Airport to either Kisoro or Kihihi airstrips, which are close to the park. The flight takes about 1.5 hours. Alternatively, if you prefer a road trip, the park can be reached from Entebbe by car in around 9 hours. Although the drive is long, it offers the opportunity to see other beautiful parts of Uganda, such as Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.
CONCLUSION
The gorilla habituation experience in Uganda is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that combines adventure, education, and conservation. It’s an incredible way to connect with these majestic animals and witness their daily lives in the wild. With careful planning, a good sense of adventure, and respect for nature, you will have a truly unforgettable experience in the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
